Honoring Those Who Gave Their Lives so that We Live Free

Statement

Memorial Day is a time for remembering our fallen service men and women, but that's too often lost in the festivities of a summer kick-off. While it is of course appropriate to gather with family to have fun and celebrate the freedom and quality of life preserved by those who gave their lives so that we have that opportunity, the solemnity of the occasion should also be observed. In fact, the holiday at one time was a specific day -- May 30th -- rather than a three-day weekend event.

Former Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) was a World War II veteran who lost his arm in service to his nation. Before he passed away in 2012, he routinely offered legislation during each session of Congress to re-establish May 30th as a stand-alone day for remembrance. I tend to think that would be a good thing for our nation. But that debate aside, the point is the act of remembrance.

President Lincoln reminded us at Gettysburg how to memorialize the fallen, focusing somewhat ironically on the meaninglessness of his great words in comparison to the sacrifice of those men. As President Ronald Reagan paraphrased him in a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery in 1984, "through their deeds, the dead had spoken more eloquently for themselves than any of the living ever could, and that we living could only honor them by rededicating ourselves to the cause for which they so willingly gave a last full measure of devotion."

Today, as we honor specifically those who gave their lives so that we live free, we must remember the continued sacrifice of blood and treasure our brave men and women in uniform have been making for over 15 years in defense of our nation, and re-double our efforts to ensure they have the tools, the clarity of mission, and the full backing of the nation that they need to complete the task.

May God be with the families and loved ones of those we've lost and may we remember and celebrate today the great sacrifice these heroes have made for a cause greater than themselves.

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